Doris M. Kirkeby

Doris M. Kirkeby, 89, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at the Dells Nursing and Rehab Center in Dell Rapids. Her Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 in the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025 at Kahler-Brende Funeral Home, Dell Rapids. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the Delaware Reformed Cemetery in Lennox.

Doris was born on June 3, 1936 on the family farm near Lennox, SD to John and Carrie (DeBelts) Smit. She grew up on the family farm six miles south of Lennox and attended Lone Creek Country School thru the 8th grade. She then attended Lennox High School, graduating in 1954. After high school, she attended General Beadle Teachers College in Madison where she received her teaching degree. She started teaching at a country school, Sunnyside District 75 which was near her parents family farm. She met Leland Kirkeby while in college, the couple married during a blizzard on December 27, 1957. The couple later moved to Madison so Leland could help his father in the family business.  Leland and Doris moved to Wheaton, MN where Leland taught school. In 1962, they moved to Colton, SD where they lived for 20 years. During that time Doris substitute taught and was a teachers aide. She also worked at Litton Industries and Star Products. In 1985, they moved to Watertown where she worked at the Vo-tech school and was later the director of the lunch program at Immaculate Conception Catholic School.  In 1995, the couple made their home in Dell Rapids. Doris worked in the lunch program at both the school and hospital until her retirement.

She was a member of the Lutheran Church of Dell Rapids and the Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, stamping cards, watching the Bold and the Beautiful and most of all spending time with her family especially her grandchildren. 

Doris is preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Clarence and her sister, Bernice (Bunny) and her grandson, Sergiu.

She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Leland Kirkeby of Dell Rapids; her children, Alan (Wilma) Kirkeby of Brandon, Lori Severson of Tea and Dean (Paula) Kirkeby of Sartell, MN; her 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren and extended family. 

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